This week, you discuss the ethics of product development. Whether you’re a manager of people or processes, these considerations are important to understand.
Think about a product you use regularly, such as a smartphone or a home appliance. What ethical considerations do you think had to be addressed in the development of the product? How do you think those considerations ultimately influenced your purchase decision? Think about the need this product fulfills for you. What ethical issues might you be willing to overlook to meet this need, or what ethical considerations might make you forgo this product? Share the product in your response.
Full Answer Section
- The environmental impact: The production of smartphones requires a lot of energy and resources. The disposal of smartphones also poses an environmental hazard, as they contain toxic materials.
I think these ethical considerations ultimately influenced my purchase decision. I chose a smartphone that was manufactured by a company that has a good record of ethical practices. I also chose a smartphone that has features that allow me to protect my privacy.
The need that this product fulfills for me is the need to stay connected with friends and family, to access information, and to be productive. I would be willing to overlook some ethical issues to meet this need, but there are some ethical considerations that would make me forgo this product. For example, I would not buy a smartphone if I knew that it was made with conflict minerals or if it had features that allowed the government to spy on me.
I think it is important to be aware of the ethical considerations involved in the development of products. These considerations can have a real impact on people's lives, and it is important to make informed decisions about the products we buy.